Community Calendar

A selection of favorite paintings created by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford during the 2025 season. These are images created during Plein Air painting sessions in the Rockford area. The exhibit is located in the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum.

Today Was Tomorrow - a solo show by Kari McDonald will kick off our 2026 exhibition season. Lemuette is the artistic moniker of Rockford-based printmaker Kari McDonald. Her meditative, nature-inspired work invites viewers to slow down and find moments of calm. Her intricate designs in woodblock often feature native prairie plants, whimsical flowers, and playful critters, capturing the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

FAM is open Tuesday - Friday 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 12 to 5 PM.

America the Beautiful Art Exhibit
February 4 – March 21
Sponsored by Ron Bry

Awards Reception
February 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Judge: Stuart Roddy
Music: Jim Kanas & Roger Hintzsche

Participating artists include Cindy Bear, Alice Blue, Richard Born, Bob Cholke, Rick Davis, Connie Fry, Beverly Garcia, Chuck Gregory, Timothy Griffith, Dan Grossmann, Stephen Hart, Kat Heitzman, Maggie Isaacs, Bob Kapheim, Julie Kennelly, Linnea Koch, Paula Kuehl, Bob Logsdon, Colleen Logsdon, Henry Matthiessen III, Joy Meyer, Gary Pearson, Joe Popp, Stephonie A Schmitz, and Joseph Virbickis.

Joy Meyer

Taft Gallery Artist, February 1 – March 31

Joy Meyer earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art and Art Education from Northern Illinois University. She retired in 2005 after teaching art for thirty years, the last twenty years at Rock Falls High School in Rock Falls, IL. Joy also taught many workshops for both teenagers and adults during her career and shortly after retirement. She has won numerous awards for both her painting and her teaching.

Joy has enjoyed working in many different media including watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, glass etching, stained glass, and silk painting, but the medium she has chosen to specialize in during recent years is Acrylic Painting. She enjoys working in a fairly realistic style using primarily bright, cheerful colors. Her actual painting techniques vary depending on the subject matter being painted and the mood desired, often using many techniques within a painting to better represent the details within the painting. Joy also enjoys the challenges of working in an increasingly wider variety of subject matter.



Homecoming: In Color celebrates the reopening of Rockford Art Museum after a year-long renovation closure. This exhibition features a selection of popular pieces and hidden gems, showcasing the rich diversity of our revered collection. Come witness the power of art and community as we welcome you back to a vibrant space of creativity!

Fans of The Clancy Brothers, The High Kings, or The Dubliners will feel right at home. Come for the music, stay for the craic, and wonder how in heaven’s name these gentlemen are One of the Girls!

A group of guys on stage singing with instruments Celebrate the spirit of the Irish with the one-of-a-kind band that’s a St. Patrick’s tradition in Chicago and beyond! One of the Girls delivers high-energy Irish folk music with a twist of bluegrass-inspired arrangements, rich three-part harmonies, and a stage presence full of humor, nostalgia, and pure joy.

Formed over 20 years ago when brothers Al and Tommy teamed up with friends Sean and Tripp for a St. Patrick’s Day gig in Chicago, the band has since grown into an 8-piece acoustic powerhouse. From Irish fests and historic pubs to street festivals and ballparks, they bring the energy of a front man from every member on stage.

Expect up-tempo takes on traditional Irish favorites, heartfelt ballads honoring the old homeland, and a few unexpected cover tunes that will keep you tapping your foot and raising your pint.

Marquee TicketMake Your Night at the Opera House Even More Special!
Enhance your evening with our Marquee Access Experience for an additional $15!

Enjoy early entry and a reserved area before the show and during intermission, complete with your own bartender and bento box of snacks that can be taken to your seat . It’s the perfect way to relax, mingle, and elevate your visit in comfort and style. Spots are limited for this exclusive offering, secure yours while they last!­­­­­­­­­­­­

Look for the add-on ticket in the checkout!

Buckle up for what the New York Times called “A timely boxing match of a history play.”

In 1950, Margaret Chase Smith was the junior Senator from Maine and the only woman in the Senate. A staunch Republican, she nevertheless bucked her party and the prevailing winds of politics when she took to the floor of the Senate to denounce Senator Joseph McCarthy in a speech she called, “a declaration of conscience.”

Tapestry Unraveled: The Music of Carole King
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026 | 8:00 PM

Tickets start at $43, Members save 30%
(All-in pricing includes $4 Box Office Fee. An $8 Order fee will be applied at checkout to the entire order)
Experience the music of one of pop’s most iconic voices as Tina Naponelli pays tribute to the legendary Carole King. Backed by a dynamic 5-piece band, Naponelli brings Carole King’s greatest hits to life in a heartfelt and unforgettable performance.
From the timeless energy of “I Feel the Earth Move” to the soul-stirring warmth of “You’ve Got a Friend” and beyond, this tribute captures the spirit, power, and heart that made Carole King a true Queen of Pop.
With her powerhouse vocals and soulful delivery, Tina Naponelli channels the essence of Carole King in Tapestry Unraveled—a night of music you won’t want to miss.
Recommended: 12+

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Don’t forget to become a RaueNOW Member to save 30%!

*Prices vary according to zone. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Box Office Fee – A $4 per ticket charge to support the ticketing software.

Order Fee – A $8 per order charge that helps operate and invest back in our historic venue.

Premium Seat Fee – $6 Premium seat fee is based on location/additional leg room and indicated with a light blue color on the seating chart.

Patron Code of Conduct: Be courteous. Inform staff if you feel or observe any harassment. We reserve the right to remove any guest at any time. For more information, please visit rauecenter.org.

Questions? Contact our Box Office at 815-356-9212; boxoffice@rauecenter.org
Raue Center For The Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts.

A family road trip takes an unexpected turn when, in the dark of night, on the plains of eastern Oregon. . . reality splits.

WSSR takes another left turn with "California," a play that takes place entirely inside a car. Join us for this unique immersive experience that blends a quirky family comedy with the eerie darkness surrounding a long abandoned nuclear facility.

Directed by Claire Dahlhauser, this intimate production explores the humor and power of family bonds in a world where the map keeps rewriting itself.

Claire's credits include Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer (Starlight Theatre) and Macbeth (Starlight Shakes) and she recently served as assistant director for last season's production of POTUS at WSSR.

A selection of favorite paintings created by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford during the 2025 season. These are images created during Plein Air painting sessions in the Rockford area. The exhibit is located in the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum.